Shamed Andrew Griffiths has been asked to reapply for his job as the town's MP by his own party - a possible four years ahead of the next General Election in an unusual move.

It comes as a top Tory claimed the shamed Tory MP was no longer the 'right candidate' to represent Burton.

In July it emerged that the MP had sent obscene sex texts to two barmaids, including ones where he asked the women to beat each other.

In a rare political move East Staffordshire Conservative Association has now already started its re-selection process to identify its candidate to fight the next General Election - four years before it is scheduled to take place.

It is unusual to start the process to find the candidate to fight for the MP's seat for Burton so early after the last General Election only took place in June, last year.

Andrew Griffiths ahead of his win at the last general election (Image: Burton Mail)

Leader of East Staffordshire Borough Council Richard Grosvenor told the Burton Mail this week: "I have not heard of this [re-selection process] being called this early before but they can start whenever they wish.

"Members expressed concern at the August 6 meeting [which Mr Griffiths failed to attend to explain his actions] and asked the association to get on with the process."

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Asked by the Burton Mail if the move was an attempt to de-select the MP come the next election, Councillor Grosvenor said: "I think it is a move to confirm what is happening with Andrew. It will confirm one way or another, but it is clear that people aren't happy with what he has done.

"It is very difficult for Andrew to continue as MP. Burton does not have an functioning MP. We don't know where he is.

"I think we can win again with the right candidate. We have a great record locally. I don't think that candidate is Andrew Griffiths.

"It is open for people who wish to apply but Andrew has to now apply to stand or not. It is all in his hands now."

The vile MP talked about getting rough (Image: Mirror)

Mr Griffiths has apologised for his actions and has said that he wants to continue as Burton's MP.

Fellow Tory councillor David Brookes, who represents Uttoxeter on Staffordshire County Council, said: "Ultimately party members are in the dark just as much as everyone else as to where Andrew Griffiths has been and what's going on.

"Leaving aside what has been said in the press about the messages no-one has heard anything from Andrew. Clearly this move sets the ball rolling. I don't believe it is the start of any plan to oust him. I am sure his reasons for not being able to respond will become clear.

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More stories on Andrew Griffiths

"This is what I said at the meeting. We don't want a protracted investigation as in the case of Keith Vaz. I don't think that is acceptable for party members or constituents."

Fellow Tory county councillor Philip White said: "The selection of our candidate for the next General Election is entirely led by local Conservative Party members and they have made it clear to us that they want this process to begin now.

"This is entirely separate to the independent-QC-led investigation into the conduct of Andrew Griffiths MP by the national Conservative Party. We hope that process will also be concluded swiftly."

Mr Griffiths has been asked in a letter sent by the association whether he wishes to reapply to stand as Burton MP. If he does wish to stand, the association's executive council, made up of 30 members, will make a decision on whether it then wants him to be its candidate.

If the executive council were to decide that it did not want to re-select the MP and if Mr Griffiths then did not agree with this decision, he could request a vote of the entire association by post on whether he should be re-selected.

Some of messages asked the women to beat each other, while he referred to himself as "daddy".

In one message he asked them to tie each other up, and boasted: "I can be an evil ******* when I'm turned on."

Just some of the messages sent by Andrew Griffiths which can be published (Image: The Mirror)

He sent Imogen Treharne and her pal £700 and offered to rent a flat to meet for sex, according to the Sunday Mirror story. The MP also demanded explicit photos and videos and described degrading sex acts in crude detail.

The shamed Tory wrote:

“I’m going to need something filthy to put a smile on my face. I want to see you both naked.”

“Take off the bra and panties… you’ve got Daddy in such a frenzy.”

“I’m going to bring you to London and do whatever I want to you.”

“I’m thinking maybe we need a flat for Daddy’s girls. I’m taken by you both. You girls are spectacular.”

The MP is well-known for setting up the Women To Win campaign to get more female MPs elected and has even blasted firms for having too few women in boardrooms.

After the revelations emerged, the MP said he was "deeply shamed" and apologised for embarrassing Prime Minister Theresa May and his family. He said he would be "seeking help".

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A spokesman for the East Staffordshire Conservative Association said: "East Staffordshire Conservative Association has commenced the selection process to identify their candidate for the next General Election.

"As required by the Conservative Party Constitution we have written to Andrew Griffiths MP to ascertain whether he wishes to reapply. If Mr Griffiths reapplies then we will consider his application promptly and in accordance with the selection rules set out in the Constitution."

Mr Griffiths has been contacted for comment.

Andrew Griffiths and Imogen Treharne

Conservative Party selection rules state:

A sitting MP shall be required to make a written application to the executive council should he wish to seek re-adoption to stand again for Parliament or submit such an application if requested by the executive council.

The motion to re-adopt should be presented to the executive council after due notice and not less than two weeks nor more than two months following the receipt of the application by the MP and the MP invited to attend and speak if he wishes. Voting shall be by secret ballot, counted by two persons agreed by the sitting MP and the chairman of the association with the result but not the figures declared.

In the event of a sitting MP not securing the assent of the executive council to his re-adoption he will have the right to request a postal ballot of the full membership of the association. The ballot shall be conducted by the area campaign director with the chairman of the association and the sitting MP each appointing a scrutineer.

Time Line

Vile messages from shamed Burton MP Andrew Griffiths

June 17

The day after he first contacted Imogen – Mr ­Griffiths made reference to the fact it was Father’s Day, adding: “Daddy’s get treats. Do you think Daddy deserves a treat?”

On the same day he appeared on a BBC political show. At 4.24pm he tweeted a message to followers thanking the NHS for the care they gave his daughter. But at the same time he was messaging Imogen, asking if she was into “older men”.

Then, at 4.30pm, he said his Father’s Day was going “perfectly”, before adding: “I just wish my little girl was sat on my knee. With those big t*ts in my face.”

June 23

Mr Griffiths offered to rent an apartment so he could meet the girls for sex.

June 24

He fantasised about violent sex with the girls, offering to buy matching outfits and to take them lingerie shopping. He said: “Daddy doesn’t know the prices of dresses and panties so why don’t you suggest a budget?”

"You knew I would see your post and it would wind me up. Didn't you?...All the guys perving over you."

June 25

Amid more explicit messages, he said: “Daddy has been up making speeches and running the country. But what he really wants to be doing is ******* naughty girls’ *******.”

June 26

At 7.02pm: "Ladies, I was in a meeting. I'm sorry I neglected you, but daddy can be very demanding. He's wanting more than what's on your insta (social media Instagram account used for uploading photos). Don't make daddy get the flogger out."

"Show daddy something filthy, I think Ive earned it."

"He also wired £200 to the girls for 'treats', saying: "A horny daddy is generous daddy."

June 27

He said he had been up making speeches and "running the country" but wanted to be "licking naughty girls".

July 4

At 9.28pm: "I want her to own you. I want her to tie you up and beat that gorgeous big ass while daddy watches."

"Imogen ****, it's about time you treated with some respect. I'm the boss here."

"Are you going to hold XXX down for me while daddy gives her a beating?"

"Did she properly belt you? I hope she bruised you."

"If you need money you just need to ask...it's fine, baby, tell me what you want and I will arrange something. But I'm going to need something f***ing filthy to put a smile on my face first, I want to see you both naked."

"Would you have thought I was such a naughty man?"

Other messages sent

"I'm the daddy with power. I'm the daddy with the naughtiest streak."

"I'm going to need something filthy to put a smile on my face. I want to see you both naked."

One of the MP’s payments was for Imogen to buy a dress. But he wrote: “Take off the bra & panties and I will transfer...you've got daddy in such a frenzy. If you look pretty in it , I want you to wear it often. I like you to turn heads.

“Make the vid and pics naughty and you can have your dress.”

"I'm going to bring you to London and do whatever I want to you."

"I'm thinking maybe we need a flat for daddy's girls. I'm taken by you both. You girls are spectacular."

He said of one video she sent that her spanking of a girl "was nowhere near hard enough. Can she take a beating? I have to be slightly careful in my job."

July 6

Imogen cuts off contact

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